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5THE FM Chairman appointed

Millicent man Ralph Domaschenz has been appointed Chairman of Community Radio Station 5THE FM. Former Chairman, the late Boyd Groeneveld, who passed away last month, was the longest serving Chairman of 5THE FM and had been involved since its inception, offering legal support and direction. Boyd firmly supported Mr Domaschenz election to the 5THE FM Board 2 years ago. On his appointment to the role, Mr Domaschenz said, “Boyd has left big shoes to fill but he has left a fine legacy and we will continue on with it.”

5THE FM celebrated 21 years of broadcasting last year.

Mr Domaschenz has been involved with 5THE FM for many years both as a sponsor through his business Beckonbees Honey, donating honey for raffle prizes and has often performed the unusual tasks that keep the station operating, such as loading all station furniture, files, computers etc onto his trailer to clear the station in readiness for carpet laying, storing it in his shed and then bringing it back 2 days later to unload it all back into the station.

He was one of the first local men to support 5THE FM’s initiative to begin a White Ribbon Campaign in the region and has been an Ambassador since its inception 6 years ago when former Chairman the late Boyd Groeneveld and former WR Mayor Mark Braes supported the station led campaign to eliminate violence against women.

Mr Domashenz community work includes :-
• Millicent Work Options (MWOK) 10 years as President and was awarded life membership
• Millicent Lions 25 years as a member and has served as President and Secretary
• Apex 10 years in Edenhope and Millicent. He was part of the Apex exchange program, touring New Zealand visiting Massey University and Plastics Factories as well as pedalling hard to help keep the plane in the air. It was his first plane trip and said he thought it may help either keep the plane airborne or settle his nerves.
• Thornley CFS 15 years
• He has held membership and served as President of Rendelsham Liberal Party
• CFA in Victoria membership.
• Co-ordinated the Youth Club in Edenhope
• Ag Bureau – was a member and served as President
• Member of the Apiarist Association for 10 years. He is currently planning a monitoring program of the Varroa mite in the region on behalf of the Bee Industry.

He has always had an interest in the youth of the region, and with his wife Marl, he has fostered many children over the years; which he said taught him a lot about the wider community, schools and the law.

He served his National Service training (CMF) over a period of 5 years at Puckapunyal. His sporting interests have included playing tennis and football.

Over a period of 10 years he helped plant 30,000 Blue Gums over the border in Victoria, has a farming background and has been an Apiarist for 15 years, frequently giving talks at schools in the region about the life of the bee.

Mr Domaschenz is the Chairman of the Lions tractor run to Birdsville which will take place in August 2015. This is a charity run which will distribute funds raised equally between the Royal Flying Doctor and local charities.

Mr Domaschenz has a strong interest in policies and procedures and said he believes a firm approach to this aspect of any organisation is most important.
“I am just looking forward to carrying on with what Boyd implemented and making sure 5THE FM keeps getting better all the time,” he said.